Interpersonal Tiger's Pleasures; Mouse Bullets; Chance Women in the Sun

The Interpersonal Neurobiology of Play, by Theresa A. Kestly
Really interesting book for a layperson to read, aimed at practicing therapists. I particularly liked the lit review parts, though the more practical part did an excellent job of tying the theories to actual real people and how they might be helped.
(280, O54)

Tiger's Curse, by Colleen Houck
This book is SO POORLY WRITTEN OMG. Mostly because overwritten. 15 words where 3 would do. And those of you who know my preference for Dickens over Hemingway can imagine exactly how overwritten that might be. Plus the whole "magical white Mary Sue needed to solve ancient exotic Indian problems" thing? Grrr. (Even though the Indian-specific parts were well researched and thoughtful, which does make the grr a tiny bit less grr-some. Still, if you looked up appropriation in the dictionary.... ) That said, there was just *something* about the characters (plus my friend's heartfelt-but-caveated-with-the-writing-doesn't-get-much-better-till-book-3 recommendation) and the story that kept me reading. And will keep me reading for the rest of the series. (I already have the second one in my library pile downstairs.)
(281)

The Pleasures of Reading: A Booklover's Alphabet, by Catherine Sheldrake Ross
This was a neat book, not really what it might sound like from the title. It's specifically the insights into reading of a life long academic and readers' advisor. Why people read, what they like about reading, what lies at the heart of different genres, etc. An organized miscellany. I dug it.
(282)

Kittens in the Sun, by Hans Silvester
So many cute kitties. *melts*
(283, O55)

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard, vol. 1, by David Petersen et al (reread)
The art for this was absolutely lovely, the stories were a bit uneven. Enjoyed it more on rereading, but I know a ten-year-old who will like it more than I do.
(285, O56)

Women, by Annie Leibovitz with Susan Sontag
So many fascinating women. *swoons*
(286, O57)

100 Bullets, vol. 1: First Shot, Last Call, and vol. 2: Split Second Chance by Brian Azzarello et al
It took me forever to get around to starting these, and it may take me a long time to finish them, because they are violent and uncomfortable and full of nastiness. But they are also (so far) very very very well-done. Kinda like the Sopranos in tone, though the story is very different.
(287, O58; 304, O69)

Foley's Artful Books; Old-Fashioned Birds; Labyrinth Nuts

A Book of Books, by Abelardo Morell with Nicholson Baker
Lovely, crisp images that focus on contrasts.
(288, O59)

Mick Foley's Christmas Chaos, by Mick Foley, illustrated by Jerry Lawler (reread)
This is such a silly book. And yet every time I read it I end up with a grin on my face. If you didn't watch wrestling in the 90s, it probably won't mean much to you.
(289, O60)

The Artful Cat, by Mark Bryant (reread)
When I was a teenager I read and reread and rereread this one. So many beautiful paintings, so many snippets of poetry and prose.
(290, O61)

Birds, by Robert Bateman
I've seen most of these paintings before - Bateman prints are ubiquitous in Canada - but it was neat to have his reflections on each piece as I was looking at it. And the repro quality of this particular book is astounding.
(291, O62)

A Treasury of Old-Fashioned Christmas Stories, edited by Michele Slung
When she says old-fashioned, she means old - most of these stories are from the 19th or very early 20th centuries. It's neat to read an anthology of older stories that was crafted by a modern sensibility. And there were some old favorites in here I was delighted to revisit, as well as new-to-me stories that made me think about how we got to where we are now.
(292)

Nuts to You!, by Lynne Rae Perkins
Adorable kids' book about squirrel adventures. Pulls off that neat trick where the reader doesn't really worry about the outcome but does feel great empathy for the protagonists' worry about the outcome, so it's very cosy and comforting to read.
(293)

The Battle of the Labyrinth, by Rick Riordan
I'm totally into these books now. I want to read the last one in this series, and then the next series, and then the Kane Chronicles, and and and.... Riordan's got his hooks in me. I need to take more reading advice from kids; maybe that will be my new year's reading resolution. :D
(294)